Governor Otti Pledges Immediate Rehabilitation of ABSU Facilities After Shocking Inspection
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has issued a public apology to students of Abia State University Uturu (ABSU) following his unscheduled visit that revealed the deplorable state of infrastructure at the institution.
The governor, who visited the campus after Sunday service at Assemblies of God Church in Umuahia, expressed dismay during his on-the-spot assessment of facilities. Accompanied by Vice-Chancellor Professor Ndukwe Okudo, Otti inspected critical areas including the dilapidated Staff Primary School, the old Law Faculty building, and proposed sites for new student hostels.
“I couldn’t have believed the extent of decay if I hadn’t seen it myself,” Otti told students who gathered during the inspection. “The conditions here are unacceptable for academic excellence, and on behalf of the government, I apologize.”
The governor immediately ordered:
1) Demolition and reconstruction of the Staff Primary School
2) Construction of a 5,000-capacity hostel complex within four months
3) Relocation of Law and Agriculture faculties from Umuahia to the main campus
4) Establishment of a functional cafeteria within three months
“Seeing cooking stoves and kerosene in hostels is unsafe and unhygienic,” Otti stated while directing the VC to implement immediate safety measures. “Our students deserve better learning and living conditions.”
Though acknowledging the decay predated his administration, Otti emphasized governance continuity, pledging N500 million as initial intervention fund. The governor also announced plans for regular power supply and potable water projects across campus.
Education analysts have welcomed the intervention, noting ABSU’s strategic importance in the state’s human capital development. The Students’ Union Government described Otti’s visit as “unprecedented” in the institution’s history.
Contractors are expected to mobilize to site within seven days, with the governor warning against delays in project execution. The rehabilitation forms part of Otti’s broader education sector reforms, which include recent upgrades to primary and secondary schools across Abia.
